Summer Air Travel

Summer seems to be a time for travel and for those with low vision or who are legally blind this can be a challenge. Airports present many obstacles to passengers traveling with a visual impairment. It is hard enough for a sited person to maneuver through a crowded airport and to stand in line to be patted down be some stranger with bad breath and an attitude. It can also be an adventure trying to board a plane with everyone trying to stuff there baggage into the overhead compartments squished together like a can of sardines. There is no such thing as personal space when boarding a plane. For someone who is totally blind and traveling with a seeing-eye dog or a cane, it is obvious that they may need some assistance. Those with low vision on the other hand, have to do a bit more asking, be more organized an get to the airport earlier than most. It is not fun knowing your plane is about to take off and you are running towards the gate not being able to read the signs, even though they can be quite large, praying that you are headed in the right direction. Planning ahead of time is the best way to save yourself from headaches and unwanted stress that can be a voided with a few phone calls and some simple steps.

• Read about your destination and plan out what sights you will want to visit and contact those places to see if they offer special services. Pre purchase tickets if possible for parks and attractions.


• Research accomodations. Foreign destinations are likely to have different accomodations and services from your home city or town. Prepare yourself by researching your trip before you plan your travels.


• Make reservations whenever possible. Call the airline and ask about assistance and tell them your are visually impaired. Give them as much information as possible and let them know what you will need, (preboarding, luggage help, connecting to your next flight). Also let them know if you have a guide dog. Ask about seating arrangements, special meals, and shuttle and driving services. Some airlines allow trained service dogs to sit in the cabin. Continental and Delta are two airlines that will.


• If you are meeting an airline representative or transportation company let them know what you look like and what you are wearing.


• Plan for quide-dog restrictions. Some countries and states such as Hawaii either do not allow guide dogs for short visits or have quarentine requirements. Call your local guide-dog school for information on restrictions.


• Carry written directions with you. Have them written down before leaving. Even if you can't read them you can ask for help by showing then to someone else if you get lost. It's also helpfu to have a copy of the exact addrss of where you are going. A driver may not know where a specific hotel is, especially if there are several with the same name.


• Bring helpful technology with you such as a monocular, handheld magnifier, or mini video magnifier.


• Keep necessities with you at all times. Carry your money, keys, tickets and passes in a pocket. If you happen to misplace your purse or wallet or someone takes it, you can still reach your destination. Keep some extra money handy for tips.


• Notify others about your needs. Inform those around you about your visual limitation. Ask questions. If you can't see a monitor or find a gate at the airport ask a customer service representative or another traveler to help you find your way.


• CARRY your cane. Whether you choose to use it or not for mobility puposes, your cane helps to identify others that you are visually impaired.


• Ask about amusement park or other tourist discounts. Some of the amusement parks give discounts either to visually impaired visitors or to their sighted guides.


• If you do bring a suitcase, remember its type and color. It may be helpful to putt a colorful piece of ribbon or a sticker to help you or anyone assisting you with easy identification.


• Enhance your sensory experience by going on tours and visiting gift shops. Some tour groups allow travelers who are visually impaired to experience an exibit by tuching objects that are off limits to others. Gift shops often sell dmall cale replicas of monuments you can touch.

Remember that travel is supposed to be an adventure and exciting so take your time and enjoy all you can even if everything does not go exactly as planned. Happy Travels!

Questions to ask your Doctor when your vision changes.

At some point in our lives we all have an obstacle to overcome. For some of us the obstacle is changes to or loss of our vision that alter how we deal with our daily activities. This can be overwhelming and a bit scary. It often leaves us feeling somewhat hopeless and fearful for our future, but that does not have to be our only feeling. There are some steps that can be taken and questions to ask that can help us see a new way to deal with our diagnosis and bring us to a feeling of hope.

You have just found out that your vision is not what it used to be an you schedule an appointment with your Ophthalmologist. A good dialogue with your doctor is key to understanding what your risk factors are for certain eye conditions and to determining the best course of action to take. There are some very important questions to ask to help decide the next step.
On Risk Factors

• Do I have any risk factors for eye disease (age, ethnicity, family history, etc.) ?
  


• If I'm at risk for certain eye conditions, what can I do to lower or manage that risk

On Symptoms

• What's causing my vision changes or symptoms?
  


• Are my vision changes a normal part of aging, or could they be a sign of something more serious?



• Will my vision problems get worse?
  


• What can I do to correct or manage my eye or vision problems?

On Eye Tests

• Based on my symptoms and risk factors, which eye tests should I receive and how often?
  


• Did my eye exam or test results reveal any changes in my vision since my last eye exam? What d0 those changes mean?
  


• Do I need additional testing, and if so, when should I come back for that, and how should I prepare?
  


• Are there any potential side effects or risks posed by the eye tests I'll be receiving?
  

On Treatments

• What are the treatment options for my vision loss or eye problems?
  


• What are the possible side effects or risks involved in the treatment you recommend?
  


• Are there any medications I should avoid, given my eye condition?
  


• What habits should I adopt to help protect my eyes and reduce my risk of disease?
  


• What else can I do to protect my remaining vision?
  


• Are there any product on the market that can help me?

Before you walk away

• Asked all your question? Great! Now, before you walk away, make sure you understand all the answers, and ask more questions if you don't. Understanding the information your doctor shares helps establish an effective working partnership with your eye doctor. Working together, your can take key steps toward maintaining good vision and reducing your risk for serious eye problems down the road.

One thing to be aware of is that not all Ophthalmologist have the answer. There are those times you may hear "there is nothing else that can be done". That may not be true. If your doctor has not mentioned a Low Vision Specialist or Adaptive Technology, then you may want to look into those options. Some Doctors are uninformed and have helped you to the best of their ability. There are many products on the market today that can enhance your quality of life and allow you to live as independently as possible. As a patient we need to take charge of our care and move forward to see what we can do instead of sitting on the sidelines focusing on what we have lost.

Hope this information helps as a guideline to getting started on your journey into a different way of life.

At Vision Dynamics we understand how difficult it can be living with low vision- the owner is legally blind and our sales diva Tracy is also legally blind. When we come to work, we are always hearing about the difficulties of simple tasks - such as, being legally blind and going to the grocery store. So, we decided it was time to share some tips on living with low vision, from someone with low vision - our very own Tracy! Tracy has been legally blind since the age of seven, but never let that stop her from living her life. She works, raises two kids, helps run her household and goes shopping. We all know that going to the grocery store can be a bit trick, but having low vision should not stop you from going and it can be an adventure. Here are some of Tracy's tips for a successful shopping experience: 1) Make a list of the items you need - write with a bold black pen and on bold lined paper so that it is easier to read. 2) If writing isn't an option - you can record your list on a small handheld recorder 3) Bring other adaptive devices - monocular, pocket video magnifier (such as an Optelec Compact+ or Aumed Eye-C), large print checks, folding cane, a handheld magnifier and most importantly PATIENCE and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Patience and a positive attitude may very well be the hardest, but the more you do on your own and the more comfortable you are in accepting your low vision, the easier this becomes. When you begin your shopping experience, it is helpful to use the white cane. It will not only help you navigate the store, but will also identify you to other shoppers as someone who is visually impaired. Since most stores have signs above each isle, use your monocular to see the distant signs so that you can orient yourself to the store layout. A monocular (just like binoculars, but it is only for one eye) can also be used in shopping malls to see store names in the distance. Once you are in the correct aisle or store, it is time to select the items on your list. Seeing the labels or price tags can be quite challenging, this is where your pocket video magnifier or handheld magnifier comes into play. Use these devices to magnify the small print. The pocket video magnifier is a useful tool because it allows you to take a picture if an item is high up or on a lower shelf. You can then view the picture up close. Using your magnifying devices will help insure that you are buying the peas on your shopping list instead of the green beans your kids hate. Here's a secret - sighted people buy the wrong items all the time! Perhaps us sighted folks should take some advice and slow down. During the shopping process there may be people who wonder what you're doing, or ask if you need help. It is OK to explain to them you are visually impaired and it may even lead into some interesting conversations. They may know someone who is visually impaired and that is the best time to educate on living independently! If you are uncomfortable explaining yourself, it is also okay to say " no thank you" or, if you are struggling and someone offers to help it is definitely okay to accept their help. Once you have found all of your items it is time to check out - this can be an intimidating experience but don't worry - there are things you can do! Having large print checks from the bank will make it easier to fill out the checks ( these are available by request at most banks). Most stores have credit card machines that allow you to sign anywhere in the box, which is great because you don't have to worry about staying on a line! If you need to use your debit card you can always use your handheld magnifier to see the keypad, but sometimes this is complicated because the screen is difficult to see. In this case, Tracy has asked the cashier for help. When asking for assistance, just explain that you are visually impaired and cannot see the display, and the cashier will help you complete your transaction. If you are using cash to pay, there is a money reader called Money Talks that identifies what denomination each bill is. Tracy also folds her bills a certain way, so that she can differentiate between different denominations. Another important item to have with you is a cell phone. This is great to have if you need to call for a ride or your spouse calls because they forgot to ask you to pick up something that wasn't on your list. Remember that shopping with low vision can be a successful experience! Most important is to have patience and a sense of humor can go along way. Tracy recalls a family vacation when she was shopping with her daughter. They were in a store that had ow lighting. Tracy was wearing a baseball cap (this further impaired her vision) and the store was filled with t-shirts, bags, purses, and other touristy items. Now, Tracy LOVES purses and she began looking at several on a rack in front of her. She found one that was particularly nice and she started to touch it - then the bag began to move! Tracy looked up and noticed the purse was attached to a person. The woman was standing in front of her with the bag hanging from her shoulder. Tracy laughed and quickly apologized and explained that she was visually impaired. The woman probably thought her purse was being stolen, and was relieved when she found out it wasn't. Just remember, don't be afraid to use adaptive devices, keep a sense of humor, stay calm and have patience - shopping can be fun! For more information on any of the adaptive devices listed in this article please visit www.VisionDynamics.com or call 203-271-1944

IF I COULD ONLY SEE!

"If I could only see!" These are famous words, said by so many of us who have lost our sight; or enough of it that they call us legally blind. Which raises a great question, who are they? Why do so many of us concern ourselves with what they call us? Or, even worse, what they think of us? Would we really be happier if they thought all good things about us? What makes the visually impaired so important that people spend their time thinking about us? Are they actually thinking of us or are they thinking of themselves?

Why is it we are so concerned with what we don't have? Is sight what makes us whole? Would I be happier if I had all my sight? I don't think so. So many people believe if they had just one thing, they would have true happiness. The reality is, once that one thing is granted to them they seek something else; never finding real, true happiness within themselves.

From my travels, and my different speaking engagements, I learned there are many people who are waiting for something outside themselves to provide their happiness. What I discovered for myself; and for those I have helped over the years; is that happiness is an inside thing. Happiness comes from within. I am good enough and I accept myself exactly as I am in this moment. That statement can only come from a truly happy person. Great, that sounds easy! I'll say that statement and I'll be happy...why is it not working? In order to work, when you say it, you have to believe it.

Yes, it takes some work to get into this mindset; but, aren't you worth it? Yes, we are all worth it. Deep down inside each of us we have amazing gifts to share with the world. What excites me the most about helping people is after some cleaning and clarifying, we can all operate out of this place of happiness and begin to live the life of our dreams. Cleaning and clarity you ask? Yes, cleaning, clarity and vision is where it starts.

Before venturing forth into happiness, you need to have a clear vision. With a clear vision, with your mental blocks removed, a plan in place and one step at a time, you are on your way to real happiness.

You may be saying to yourself, "I am blind, I don't have vision!" I always say, we don't see with our eyes, we see with our brains. With this in mind, everyone can have clear vision in their lives.

As Helen Keller said, "The only thing worse than being blind is being sighted with no vision."

For me, even worse was being legally blind with no vision.

It is all about VISION and in my next article I will share with you the initial step we take to start focusing on what we want and how to create crystal clear vision.

Charlie Collins, Certified Professional Success Coach
Founder and C.E.O
Vision Dynamics & CCI, LLC

Vision Dynamics will be at the CannOTA Conference (Connecticut Occupational Therapists Association) on March 12th from 8:00 to 1:30. We will have a booth with many low vision products for attendees to manipulate and touch so they will be abe to experience the use of these items in their daly lives. Adaptive technology is one of the keys to living a more independent life as well as a positive attitude and an open mind. We encourage you to come and visit us with questions or just to say hello. Looking forward to meeting you.